Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Favorite Breakfast

Eating during the wee small hours of the morning hasn't been an issue for me since back in the days when we'd close down the bars and hit the greasy spoon at the truck stop on our way back home, so it's not a problem for me to do the required fasting before having blood drawn for the battery of tests they like to run on you to make sure your oil's not low and your engine's not getting all clogged up. And most generally I can wait an hour or two after getting up in the morning before I feel I have to eat something or die. But here's the deal. I HAVE TO HAVE MY COFFEE. FIRST THING. I fumble for the filters and measure out the coffee before I even hit the bathroom, hopping back and forth from foot to foot because I need to GO, but knowing that if I take the time to make the coffee first, it'll be all ready for me by the time I finish up in the bathroom. That's how important my coffee is to me first thing in the morning.

So this morning's trip to the doctor for the big fasting blood test was not a pleasant one to say the least. Normally cheerful people aren't cheerful when they're forced to take a number and wait in line before being allowed their first cup of coffee. While waiting for my turn with the vampire, I came up with what I consider an ingenious idea. Why not have a cup of coffee waiting right there by the stack of needles, vials and rubber gloves, and then as soon as you're a good girl and you've given up a half gallon of your blood to the lady who had to poke you eleventy thousand times, you'd be handed a steaming cup of coffee as a reward for your patience and dedication to your health. Everyone's happy now, yes? (All you healthcare providers out there, see what you can do about getting this program started pronto in your own offices, K?)

All of the above is connected to this posting about my favorite breakfast in one way only. This happens to be the breakfast I made for myself when I got home from the doctor's office today. I made the sweet potato hash yesterday and only had to reheat it in the microwave while I fried my egg. But that was all after I made my coffee, of course.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Place sweet potato cubes into a bowl and drizzle with one TBSP of the olive oil. Stir well to coat. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Stir again and spread sweet potatoes on baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and stir so they'll continue browning evenly. Return to oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes or until browned and fork tender. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a large skillet heat remaining TBSP of olive oil. Add red pepper and onion and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Saute until onion is translucent, 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and saute for another minute or two. Add roasted sweet potatoes and stir well to combine. Add chopped parsley and allow everything to heat thoroughly before serving.

Mags, what a wonderful sounding hash! I absolutely love sweet potatoes and have never thought of using them for a hash, let alone serve them for breakfast. I am definitely going to put sweet potatoes on my weekend shopping list and give this delicious hash a try. Many thanks...

fasting blood test are the worst! and I love the coffee reward idea!! I think that breakfast would be my favorite as well, it looks perfect! but how oh how did you not eat it up right away... you took pictures???? more self control then this girl here!

Nice post!! My favorite breakfast would be two eggs over medium, fries, bacon, and I finish it with fruit juice or a piece of fruit. This recipe’s sound really nice and I try them will be tomorrow thanks for sharing.

Breakfast is BY FAR the best meal of the day. Eggs and hash have to be the best combo ever! This sweet potato hash recipes sounds so tasty! Here's my fave recipes: http://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/smithfield_ham_hash_2.htm

I love baking sweet potatoes in the oven-I can't remember the last time I had a regular white baked potato, I just find the sweet ones to be so much tastier :) I can't wait to try it will all these added spices next time, I'm sure it will become my go-to breakfast!

Mmmm. Breakfast is definitely a favourite of mine ... but I love to make it for dinner instead. Like you I MUST have my java first thing and often I just don't have the get up and go to make a nice breakfast. I have a similar recipe on my blog (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.com) that is similar but uses frozen hashbrowns instead. I love the fact that yours uses sweet potato! Thanks for the recipe. :)

Hey Mags, I am a disabled Vet and every year they make you do fasting blood work for the VA just to monitor you... hhhmmm sounds fishy - but that's another story - the first thing they tell you is you can have black coffee! As long as you don't put any thing in your coffee it is just like drinking water - and the VA would know. hehehehe I also set up the coffee pot at night so all I have to do is turn it on before I hit the bathroom - saves me about 3 minutes...

Oh, and about that hash - I will have to make me some - my William does not like Sweet potatoes - not a fan of the sweetness, but I love them, and that yard egg is gorgeous - I can tell by that rich yellow yolk!!!

I made this yesterday for a small brunch dish for my mother and me, because I only had one sweet potato. It was SOOOO very super yummy that I just made them again for dinner tonight. I can't thank you enough for this recipe!! This will defiantly become a usual dish in my house. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING and GOD BLESS! :-D

About Me

This is my documentation of my life after turning 50. Lots of recipes, some healthy, some not so much... tossed up with a hefty dose of sarcasm and motherly love.
My email address: maggielauerrdh(at)yahoo.com